Note meant somehow to show compensation (9)
I believe the answer is:
atonement
'compensation' is the definition.
(atonement is a kind of compensation)
'note meant somehow' is the wordplay.
'somehow' indicates anagramming the letters.
'note'+'meant'='notemeant'
'notemeant' is an anagram of 'ATONEMENT'.
'to show' is the link.
(Other definitions for atonement that I've seen before include "Expiation of sin, penance" , "'Penance, redemption (9)'" , "Compensation for a wrong" , "Reparation (for a wrong)" , "reparations?" .)