Shambles: time to communicate (7)

I believe the answer is:

message

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'shambles time to communicate' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'shambles time' is the wordplay.
'shambles' becomes 'mess' (I've seen this before).
'time' becomes 'age' (an age is a period of time).
'mess'+'age'='MESSAGE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for message that I've seen before include "Communication that is sent" , "Signal" , "Errand" , "The medium is the - (McLuhan)" , "bulletin" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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