A sound way to make expiation (5)
I believe the answer is:
atone
'way to make expiation' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'a sound' is the wordplay.
'sound' becomes 'tone' (tone is a kind of sound).
'a'+'tone'='ATONE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for atone that I've seen before include "Make up, compensate (for)" , "Make amends (for something)" , "Make redress" , "Expiate" , "Pay the price" .)