Steps by which letters are obtained (7)
I believe the answer is:
degrees
'letters are obtained' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'steps by which' is the wordplay.
'steps' becomes 'grees' (I've seen this before).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'which' becomes 'de' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'grees' after 'de' is 'DEGREES'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for degrees that I've seen before include "Units for angles" , "Measure for arcs and angles" , "Measures for arcs and angles" , "distinctions that are academic" , "Educational qualifications" .)