Because some effort is lacking (3)
I believe the answer is:
for
'because' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'some effort is lacking' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates a hidden word (some of the parts of the word are used).
'FOR' is hidden within 'effort lacking'.
(Other definitions for for that I've seen before include "Approving" , "Favouring" , "In favour of; since" , "and 16 and 20: Notwithstanding" , "Pro" .)