A badly run vessel (3)
I believe the answer is:
urn
'vessel' is the definition.
(urn is a type of container)
'a badly run' is the wordplay.
'a badly' indicates an anagram (letters in the wrong order).
'run' with letters rearranged gives 'URN'.
(Other definitions for urn that I've seen before include "A ceremonial vase as for human ashes" , "Spore-producing capsule of a moss" , "a large vase as for cremation ashes" , "Vase-shaped vessel" , "Large container, for tea say" .)