Shortened game in middle of meadow (8)
I believe the answer is:
abridged
'shortened' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'game in middle of meadow' is the wordplay.
'game' becomes 'bridge' (card game).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'middle of' means to look at the middle letters.
The central letters of 'meadow' are 'ad'.
'bridge' placed into 'ad' is 'ABRIDGED'.
(Other definitions for abridged that I've seen before include "Epitomised" , "Abbreviated, contracted" , "Shortened as book may be" , "Shorter" , "Cut short - big adder (anag)" .)