Rower in loud cry when losing lead (3)
I believe the answer is:
oar
'rower' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'loud cry when losing lead' is the wordplay.
'loud cry' becomes 'roar' (I've seen this in another clue).
'when losing lead' means to remove the first letter.
'roar' with its first letter removed is 'OAR'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for oar that I've seen before include "Propelling pole" , "Rower's flat blade" , "Manual boat propeller" , "Crewman" , "Pole for rowing" .)