Sardine container (3)
I believe the answer is:
tin
'sardine container' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for tin that I've seen before include "Earnings" , "Kind of metal often used as food container" , "roofing material" , "A silvery-white metal, symbol Sn" , "Silvery-white metallic element" .)