issue

Issue is a term with several related but distinct meanings in English, used in everyday speech, law, publishing, and technology. Its core sense involves something that is being discussed, decided, or brought into existence.

As a noun, issue commonly refers to a matter or topic that is in dispute or requires attention. It can denote a problem to be solved, a point of contention, or a subject for discussion. The phrase “the central issue of the debate” is a typical example. As a verb, to issue can mean to emit, publish, or distribute something, such as guidelines, licenses, or statements.

In publishing, an issue is a single edition of a periodical, such as a magazine or newspaper, identified by date or issue number. A weekly or monthly issue designates the publication’s specific release.

In law and inheritance, issue refers to a person’s descendants or lineal heirs. It appears in phrases like “the issue of the testator” and has a formal sense in which goods or rights may “issue” to recipients. The term to issue also means to formally send out or transmit orders, writs, or licenses.

In information technology and project management, an issue is a tracked item in an issue-tracking system. It records tasks, bugs, or feature requests and supports assignment, prioritization, and resolution within a team.

Overall, issue is a versatile word whose meaning depends on context, ranging from problems and topics to publications, lineage, and formal acts.