A number of regular steps after meal (9)
I believe the answer is:
elevenses
'a number of regular steps after meal' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'a number of regular steps after' is the wordplay.
'a number' becomes 'eleven' (eleven is a kind of number).
'of regular' indicates alternate letters (I've seen 'regulars' mean this (letters selected at regular intervals)).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
The alternating letters of 'steps' are 'ses'.
'eleven'+'ses'='ELEVENSES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for elevenses that I've seen before include "Mid-morning snacks" , "Refreshments" , "Mid-morning break" , "tenses found immediately before this?" , "Morning refreshment break" .)