Tracks fugitives leaving area (7)
I believe the answer is:
runways
'tracks' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'fugitives leaving area' is the wordplay.
'fugitives' becomes 'runaways' (I've seen this before).
'leaving' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'runaways' with 'a' removed is 'RUNWAYS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for runways that I've seen before include "Aircraft landing strips" , "Take-off strips for planes" , "Surfaces for planes to take off and land" , "Airport zones" , "See model on these" .)