Clear signal given after five (9)
I believe the answer is:
vindicate
'clear' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'signal given after five' is the wordplay.
'signal' becomes 'indicate' ('indicate' can be a synonym of 'signal'**).
'given after' says to put letters next to each other.
'five' becomes 'v' ('V' can be a synonym of 'five').
'indicate' put after 'v' is 'VINDICATE'.
(Other definitions for vindicate that I've seen before include "Clear of blame" , "Show to be right or justified" , "support" , "Avenge or exonerate" , "Make good a claim" .)