Joy needs shelter after onset of gale (4)
I believe the answer is:
glee
'joy' is the definition.
(I know that joy can be written as glee)
'shelter after onset of gale' is the wordplay.
'shelter' becomes 'lee' (as in lee side, the side sheltered from wind).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'onset of' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'gale' is 'g'.
'lee' put after 'g' is 'GLEE'.
'needs' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for glee that I've seen before include "Lively or triumphant joy" , "Merriment or gloating" , "TV show" , "much fun" , "Great delight; part song" .)