What does it mean to join parties in a lawsuit?

Joining parties in a lawsuit refers to the process of bringing multiple parties together in one legal action, which is accurately described by the correct answer. This practice serves several purposes, such as promoting judicial efficiency, avoiding multiple lawsuits that could lead to inconsistent judgments, and allowing for complete resolution of related legal issues in one case. When parties are joined, they can either be plaintiffs, defendants, or both, and their claims or defenses may be interconnected, making it logical and practical to handle them within the same legal framework.

The other options do not accurately reflect the concept of joining parties. Dismissing claims against a party pertains to removing a party from the lawsuit rather than including them. Creating separate lawsuits diverges from the idea of a unified legal action and would likely lead to increased complexity and duplication of effort. Delaying proceedings does not capture the essence of joining parties, as the intention is typically to streamline the process rather than postpone it.