Governess using three names to describe a year (5)
I believe the answer is:
nanny
'governess' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'three names to describe a year' is the wordplay.
'three names' becomes 'NNN' (an abbreviation for 'name' written three times).
'to describe' is an insertion indicator.
'year' becomes 'y'.
'nnn' going around 'a' is 'nann'.
'nann'+'y'='NANNY'
'using' is the link.
(Other definitions for nanny that I've seen before include "One looking after children" , "Spoon-feed" , "Child minder - goat - grandma" , "Undue government interference with personal choice?" , "Childminder - goat" .)