Understanding follows the compiler's meaning (6)
I believe the answer is:
impact
'meaning' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'understanding follows the compiler's' is the wordplay.
'understanding' becomes 'pact' (pact is a kind of understanding).
'follows' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the compiler's' becomes 'im' (I've seen this in other clues).
'pact' after 'im' is 'IMPACT'.
(Other definitions for impact that I've seen before include "Serious effect" , "The striking of one body against another" , "Force of colllision or blow" , "Significance" , "Bear upon" .)