Club picked up like a pike (5)
I believe the answer is:
guild
'a pike' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'club picked up' is the wordplay.
'club' becomes 'gild' (synonyms).
'picked up' shows a homophone (sound like).
'gild' is a homophone of 'GUILD'.
'like' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for guild that I've seen before include "Association of those with similar interests" , "The Townswomen's - -" , "Old trade association" , "Alliance" , "Crafstmen's association" .)