Loud instrument in the woodwind department (5)
I believe the answer is:
flute
'the woodwind department' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'loud instrument' is the wordplay.
'loud' becomes 'f' (short for forte - 'loud' in music).
'instrument' becomes 'lute' (lute is a kind of instrument).
'f'+'lute'='FLUTE'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for flute that I've seen before include "See 20" , "Blown" , "Wine glass; instrument" , "Musical instrument - wineglass" , "Champagne glass" .)