To fasten, to join to (literally and figuratively).
attach — Definition and meaning
• To adhere; to be attached.
• To include an attachment with a communication (especially an email or other electronic communication).
• To come into legal operation in connection with anything; to vest.
• To win the heart of; to connect by ties of love or self-interest; to attract; to fasten or bind by moral influence; with to.
• To connect, in a figurative sense; to ascribe or attribute; to affix; with to.
• To take, seize, or lay hold of.
• To arrest, seize.
The importance of attach
attach appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How attach is applied
In practice, attach is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.