attach

verb

at·​tach ə-ˈtach How to pronounce attach (audio)
attached; attaching; attaches

transitive verb

1
: to take by legal authority especially under a writ
attached the property
2
a
: to bring (oneself) into an association
attached herself to their cause
b
: to assign (an individual or unit in the military) temporarily
3
: to bind by personal ties (as of affection or sympathy)
was strongly attached to his family
4
: to make fast (as by tying or gluing)
attach a label to a package
5
: to associate especially as a property or an attribute : ascribe
attached great importance to public opinion polls
6
: to include and send (a separate document or file) with an electronic message (such as an email or text message)
Unlike … some other social networking hubs, Beejive allows you to attach photos or videos to a message, or download files from messages, just as you would via e-mail.Bob Tedeschi
attachable adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for attach

fasten, fix, attach, affix mean to make something stay firmly in place.

fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.

fasten the reins to a post

fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.

fixed the stake in the ground

attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.

attach the W-2 form here

affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.

affix your address label here

Examples of attach in a Sentence

I've attached an application to the brochure for you. She attached a note to the package. I attached the file to the e-mail. The handle attaches here on the top.
Recent Examples on the Web Image metadata is attached and there is a link to the actual RAW/DNG file. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 Reuters reports that Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match Group have all piled in, asking a California court to find that Apple had failed to comply with the order because of new developer fees attached to those links. David Meyer, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024 Researchers and clinicians working with combat veterans have shown how avoiding thinking or talking about an overwhelming and painful event can lead to free-floating sadness and anger, all of which can become attached to present circumstances. George Makari, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 The more technology progresses, the more we’re all attached to our phones. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Mar. 2024 Cut out the rows of hearts, leaving the straight edges attached. Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 Gree has also attached a small solar panel to its outdoor unit to generate some of the electricity needed to operate the AC. Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 The holes were likely present to attach one of those devices to the boat. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024 Rinse sponges with water while still attached to tongs throughout the cleaning process. Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attach.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French attacher, alteration of Old French estachier, from estache stake, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English staca stake

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of attach was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near attach

Cite this Entry

“Attach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attach. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

attach

verb
at·​tach ə-ˈtach How to pronounce attach (audio)
1
: to take money or property by legal authority especially to gain or force payment of a debt
attach a person's salary
2
: to fasten or join one thing to another
attach a light to a bicycle
attach a file to an e-mail
3
: to tie or bind by feelings of affection
the children were attached to their dog
4
: to assign (an individual or unit in the military) temporarily
attach an officer to a headquarters
5
: to think of as belonging to something
attach no importance to a remark
attachable adjective

Legal Definition

attach

verb
at·​tach

transitive verb

1
: to obtain a court order against (property of another person) that directs an officer of the court (as a sheriff) to seize or take control of the property compare garnish, levy

Note: A plaintiff may attach a defendant's property as a way of obtaining jurisdiction for the purpose of bringing a lawsuit or to prevent the defendant from getting rid of property that may be needed to pay a judgment to the plaintiff.

2
: to join or make a part of
affidavits attached to the suitRosalind Resnick
3
: to create a security interest in (property) and so acquire the right to foreclose on or otherwise deal with property for payment of a debt and to exercise one's rights in the property against third parties see also security interest at interest sense 1 compare perfect

intransitive verb

: to become effective: as
a
: to come into existence as a security interest
from the date the interest attaches
b
: to become operative especially as a right
the right to counsel attaches only at or after the initiation of adversary judicial proceedingsUnited States v. Gouveia, 467 U.S. 180 (1984)
see also jeopardy
attachable adjective
attachment noun
Etymology

Anglo-French attacher to lodge (an action in court), seize (a person or property) by legal authority, from Old French atachier to fasten, fix, alteration of estachier, from estache stake

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