issn

IPA/ˈɪsən/
IPA/ˈɪsən/

issn — noun

1. a unique eight-digit code that identifies a magazine, journal, newspaper, or oth

1.nounB2
Definition

a unique eight-digit code that identifies a magazine, journal, newspaper, or other regularly published work, used by libraries and publishers around the world to organise and find publications.

Example

The library ordered every journal that had an ISSN beginning with 1234.

ISSN beginning with [digits]

Before launching the new science magazine, Kemi applied for an ISSN through the national centre.

collocation: apply for an ISSN

Common collocations
  • apply for an ISSN
  • ISSN assigned to
  • carry an ISSN
  • ISSN for [publication]
  • ISSN printed on
Synonyms
  • serial number

    a much broader term for any numbered sequence; ISSN is a specific type of serial number used only for periodicals

Grammar Patterns

ISSN + verb (is/has/identifies)

ISSN + of + publication

Usage Note

Usually written in uppercase letters as ISSN. The number is eight digits long and is often written as two groups of four digits separated by a hyphen (e.g. 1234-5678).

Common Mistakes

Please check the ISSN number of the journal.
Please check the ISSN of the journal.
The word 'number' is already part of the abbreviation ISSN, so adding 'number' is redundant.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

ISSN, ISBN, and serial number all serve as identifiers, but they apply to different types of publications. ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) identifies ongoing periodicals such as journals and magazines that are published in successive parts. ISBN (International Standard Book Number) identifies individual books and is assigned to each edition or format separately. A serial number is a general term for any unique sequence assigned to a product for tracking purposes — for example, a passport serial number or a device's serial number. In practice, a journal's ISSN stays the same across issues, while each volume of a book series would need a new ISBN for each standalone title.

ISSN ↗ISBN ↗serial number ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • ISSN number
  • ISSN code
  • ISSN listing
  • ISSN record

Phrases

  • apply for an ISSN
  • assign an ISSN
  • carry an ISSN
  • print the ISSN on

Prepositions

  • under an ISSN
  • with an ISSN

Etymology

Englishacronym

ISSN is an acronym formed from the first letters of International Standard Serial Number. The system was created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1971 as a standard way to identify serial publications across countries and languages.