For centre, an alternative way in (8)
I believe the answer is:
entrance
'for' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'centre an alternative way in' is the wordplay.
'an' becomes 'a'.
'alternative' is an anagram indicator.
'way' becomes 'n' (Compass direction - North).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'centre'+'a'='centrea'
'centrea' anagrammed gives 'etrance'.
'etrance' placed around 'n' is 'ENTRANCE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for entrance that I've seen before include "Cast a spell on" , "seventeen [POSTERN], perhaps" , "transport" , "Way in - hypnotise" , "Capture" .)