Security requirement that almost makes you late at church (5)
I believe the answer is:
latch
'security requirement that almost makes' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'late at church' is the wordplay.
'late' becomes 'l' (this could be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation).
'l'+'at'+'ch'='LATCH'
'you' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for latch that I've seen before include "Bar to close" , "retainer" , "Door fastener" , "Small bar for fastening a door" , "Fastening for door or window" .)