Dry run during service (4)
I believe the answer is:
arid
'dry' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'run during service' is the wordplay.
'run' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'during' is an insertion indicator.
'service' becomes 'aid' (both can mean help).
'r' going within 'aid' is 'ARID'.
(Other definitions for arid that I've seen before include "(Of climate) dry" , "Tedious; short of rain" , "Parched, waterless" , "Dry, devoid of interest" , "(Of land) very dry" .)