Noble bird was in first place (6)
I believe the answer is:
titled
'noble' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'bird was in first place' is the wordplay.
'bird' becomes 'tit' (tit is a kind of bird).
'was in first place' becomes 'led' (to lead is to be in first place).
'tit'+'led'='TITLED'
(Other definitions for titled that I've seen before include "Belonging to the peerage" , "Given a name" , "peer?" , "as duke and duchess are?" , "Like members of the nobility" .)