Issue is a common English word that can function as both a noun and a verb. Its meanings are related by the idea of something that comes forth, is brought forward, or becomes a point of attention. Because of this wide range, the word appears in everyday speech, journalism, law, publishing, and administration.
Meanings as a noun
As a noun, issue often means a problem, matter, or subject that needs discussion or decision. People may speak of a political issue, a social issue, or an issue in a relationship. In this sense, the word usually suggests something important enough to require notice or action.
The word also has more specialized meanings. In publishing, an issue is a single edition of a newspaper, magazine, or journal. In law, an issue may refer to a point in dispute or a question to be decided by a court. In older or formal usage, it can mean descendants or offspring, as in the phrase “dying without issue.”
Meanings as a verb
As a verb, issue means to send out, give out, or officially distribute something. Governments issue passports, courts issue orders, and companies issue statements. Banks may issue currency or bonds, and software companies may issue updates or releases.
- Problem or concern: “public health issue”
- Publication installment: “the latest issue of a journal”
- Official distribution: “issue a permit”
- Legal point: “the central issue in the case”
The word comes from Latin roots connected with going out or flowing forth, which helps explain its many linked senses. In modern English, context usually makes the intended meaning clear. When used carefully, issue can refer to a topic of debate, a formal document, or the act of making something available to others.