Strainer is returned to First Lady (5)
I believe the answer is:
sieve
'strainer' is the definition.
(sieve is a kind of strainer)
'is returned to first lady' is the wordplay.
'returned' says the letters should be written backwards.
'to first' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'lady' becomes 'eve' (woman's name).
'is' reversed gives 'si'.
'si'+'eve'='SIEVE'
(Other definitions for sieve that I've seen before include "Wire mesh utensil" , "Kitchen strainer" , "Forgetful head is like it" , "Fine strainer" , "Separate" .)