issue

1 noun

1 SUBJECT/PROBLEM (C) a problem or subject that people discuss: Drugs testing of employees is a sensitive issue. | the immigration issue | raise the issue (=say that a problem should be discussed): We should raise the issue of discrimination with the council. | sth is not the issue spoken (=used to say that something is not the important part of what you are discussing): Unemployment is not the issue - the real problem is the decline in public morality. | not be an issue (=not be a problem): I just got a raise, so money's no longer an issue. | avoid/dodge/duck/evade the issue (=avoid discussing a problem or subject): When asked about the bill, the senator tried to duck the issue. | confuse/cloud the issue (=make a problem or subject more difficult by talking about things that are not directly connected with it): clouding the issue with uninformed judgements | what's the big issue? spoken (=used when you do not think that something is a problem and you cannot understand why people are worried or arguing)

2 MAGAZINE (C) a magazine or newspaper printed for a particular day, week, or month: the latest issue of Vogue

3 at issue the problem or subject at issue is the most important part of what you are discussing or considering: What is at issue is the extent to which exam results reflect a student's ability.

4 take issue with to disagree or argue with someone about something: It is difficult to take issue with his analysis.

5 make an issue (out) of sth to argue about something, especially in a way that annoys other people because they do not think it is important: I was upset by Eleanor's remarks, but decided not to make an issue of it.

6 SET OF THINGS FOR SALE (C) a new set of something such as shares (share2 (5)) or stamps, made available for people to buy: a new issue of bonds

7 ACT OF GIVING STH (singular) the act of officially giving people something to use: the issue of identity cards to all non-residents

8 die without issue old use and law to die without having any children

2 verb (T)

1 to officially make a statement, give an order, warning etc: Silva issued a statement denying all knowledge of the affair. | a warning issued by the Surgeon General

2 to provide something for each member of a group: issue sb with: All the workers were issued with protective clothing.

3 to officially produce something such as new stamps, coins, or shares (share2 (5)) and make them available for people to buy

issue forth phrasal verb (I) literary to go or come out of a place: A low grunt issued forth from his throat. issue from phrasal verb (T) formal if something, especially a sound or liquid, issues from somewhere, it comes out of it: Smoke issued from the factory chimneys.