Distant fliers recalled (3)
I believe the answer is:
far
'distant' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'fliers recalled' is the wordplay.
'fliers' becomes 'RAF' (Royal Air Force).
'recalled' is a reversal indicator (to recall can mean to bring something back).
'raf' backwards is 'FAR'.
(Other definitions for far that I've seen before include "Very much" , "Remote" , "At a great distance way" , "A long, long way to go" , "Distant" .)