Play to a happy ending (3)
I believe the answer is:
toy
'play' is the definition.
('toy' can be a synonym of 'play')
'to a happy ending' is the wordplay.
'ending' indicates one should take the final letters.
The final letter of 'happy' is 'y'.
'to'+'y'='TOY'
(Other definitions for toy that I've seen before include "Miniature (dog)" , "Teddy or Dolly" , "One of spelt out words" , "Trifle with plaything?" , "Child's amusement" .)