issue

[[t]ɪ̱sjuː, ɪ̱ʃuː[/t]]

♦

issues, issuing, issued

1) N-COUNT: usu with supp An issue is an important subject that people are arguing about or discussing.

→ See also side issue

Agents will raise the issue of prize-money for next year's world championships...

A key issue for higher education in the 1990's is the need for greater diversity of courses...

Is it right for the Church to express a view on political issues?

Syn:

subject, matter

2) N-SING: the N If something is the issue, it is the thing you consider to be the most important part of a situation or discussion.

I was earning a lot of money, but that was not the issue...

She avoided the issue by ordering a turkey sandwich...

Do not draw it on the chart, however, as this will confuse the issue...

The real issue was never addressed.

Syn:

the point

3) N-COUNT An issue of something such as a magazine or newspaper is the version of it that is published, for example, in a particular month or on a particular day.

The growing problem is underlined in the latest issue of the Lancet...

I read Germaine Greer's article in the March issue with particular interest.

Syn:

edition

4) VERB If you issue a statement or a warning, you make it known formally or publicly.

[V n] Last night he issued a statement denying the allegations...

[V n] The government issued a warning that the strikers should end their action or face dismissal...

[V n] Yesterday his kidnappers issued a second threat to kill him.

Syn:

put out

5) VERB: usu passive If you are issued with something, it is officially given to you.

[be V-ed with n] On your appointment you will be issued with a written statement of particulars of employment...

[be V-ed with n] Staff will be issued with new grey-and-yellow designer uniforms.

N-UNCOUNT: oft N n

Issue is also a noun.

...a standard army issue rifle.

6) VERB When something such as a liquid, sound, or smell issues from something, it comes out of that thing. [FORMAL]

[V from n] A tinny voice issued from a speaker.

7) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR The question or point at issue is the question or point that is being argued about or discussed.

The problems of immigration were not the question at issue...

One of the main points at issue is that the Community wants the representatives to be based in East Jerusalem.

8) PHRASE: V inflects If you make an issue of something, you try to make other people think about it or discuss it, because you are concerned or annoyed about it.

It seemed the Colonel had no desire to make an issue of the affair.

Syn:

make a big thing of

9) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you take issue with someone or something they said, you disagree with them, and start arguing about it.

Sister Morrison might take issue with me on that matter...

I will not take issue with the fact that we have a recession.

Syn:

argue