Broken Esther left in retreat (7)
I believe the answer is:
shelter
'retreat' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'broken esther left in' is the wordplay.
'broken' indicates an anagram.
'left' becomes 'L' (common abbreviation).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'esther' is an anagram of 'sheter'.
'sheter' going around 'l' is 'SHELTER'.
(Other definitions for shelter that I've seen before include "'Refuge, cover (7)'" , "Covering that provides protection from the weather" , "Sanctuary; protect" , "Housing or haven" , "Roof" .)