Trap nears construction (5)
I believe the answer is:
snare
'trap' is the definition.
(I know that trap can be written as snare)
'nears construction' is the wordplay.
'construction' indicates anagramming the letters (answer constructed from certain letters).
'nears' anagrammed gives 'SNARE'.
(Other definitions for snare that I've seen before include "Pitfall" , "Trap; type of drum" , "Entrap" , "Trap with noose for catching animals or birds" , "Trap or entangle" .)