Local doctor welcomes a break (3)
I believe the answer is:
gap
'break' is the definition.
(a gap is a break in something)
'local doctor welcomes a' is the wordplay.
'local doctor' becomes 'gp' (general practitioner. I am not sure about the 'local' bit.).
'welcomes' means one lot of letters goes inside another (in sense of 'invites in').
'gp' enclosing 'a' is 'GAP'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gap that I've seen before include "A breach or pass" , "Room" , "Aperture" , "A break in something continuous, like a hedge" , "A break or opening as in a hedge" .)