Escape didn't start on time due to distance (9)
I believe the answer is:
lightyear
'escape didn't start' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'time due to distance' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'time' could be 'year' (year is a unit of time) and 'year' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'light' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'on' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for lightyear that I've seen is " a very long way".)