Pool sticks (4)
I believe the answer is:
cues
'pool sticks' is the definition.
('cue' can be a synonym of 'pool stick')
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for cues that I've seen before include "Prompts for action" , "Actors' signals" , "Actor's signal" , "Snooker ball strikers" , "Snooker rods" .)