Test initially puzzling the French, for instance (7)
I believe the answer is:
example
'for instance' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'test initially puzzling the french' is the wordplay.
'test' becomes 'exam' (synonyms).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
'the french' becomes 'le' ('the' in French).
The initial letter of 'puzzling' is 'p'.
'exam'+'p'+'le'='EXAMPLE'
(Other definitions for example that I've seen before include "Illustration or model" , "Instance, specimen" , "Something illustrating a general rule" , "Illustrative case" , "Typical specimen" .)