issue

A subject people discuss, especially one that involves a problem or disagreement.

• We need to discuss this issue.
• The meeting raised several important issues.
• Is safety an issue at this factory?

How to use it: the issue of something (We discussed the issue of affordable housing.)

Similar words: matter, question, problem, topic

Common phrases: an important issue, raise an issue, issue of something, deal with issues

One edition of a magazine, newspaper, or similar publication, released at a particular time.

• The new issue is out.
• This issue contains an interview with a famous scientist.
• I keep old issues of the newspaper.

How to use it: an issue of something (I bought the latest issue of the magazine.)

Similar words: edition, number

Common phrases: latest issue, issue of something, special issue, next issue

Someone’s children and the later generations of their family.

• He died without issue.
• The estate passed to her surviving issue.
• The will divided the property among his issue.

Similar words: descendants, offspring

Common phrases: without issue, surviving issue, lawful issue

The complete supply or quantity of something.

• They took our whole issue of beer.
• We lost the entire issue of supplies in the flood.
• The cook used our whole issue of flour.

Similar words: supply, stock

Common phrases: whole issue, entire issue, issue of something

To officially publish, announce, or give out something.

• Police issued a warning.
• The government will issue new guidelines tomorrow.
• Every worker was issued with a security pass.

How to use it: issue something to someone (The office issued a new passport to her.); issue someone with something (The school issued each student with a laptop.)

Similar words: release, publish, distribute

Common phrases: issue a statement, issue a warning, issue an order, issue a permit

To flow or come out of a place or source.

• Water issued from the spring.
• A thin stream of smoke issued from the chimney.
• Strange sounds issued from the closed room.

How to use it: issue from something (Smoke issued from a crack in the wall.)

Similar words: flow, emerge, come out

Common phrases: issue from something, issue forth, issue out of

To move quickly out of a place, especially to attack.

• The troops issued forth at dawn.
• Armed riders issued from the gates.
• The defenders issued out of the castle and attacked.

How to use it: issue from something (Soldiers issued from the fortress to attack the camp.)

Similar words: sally forth, rush out

Common phrases: issue from something, issue forth, issue out of