The way journeys are steps (7)
I believe the answer is:
strides
'are steps' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Long steps ' mean 'strides' so perhaps 'steps' could also mean 'strides')
'the way journeys' is the wordplay.
'the way' becomes 'st'.
'journeys' becomes 'rides' (ride is a kind of journey).
'st'+'rides'='STRIDES'
(Other definitions for strides that I've seen before include "footsteps" , "Walks fast" , "Daks" , "pants [STRINE]" , "Long walking steps" .)