Vessel beside a lake in Panama, maybe (5)
I believe the answer is:
canal
'panama maybe' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'vessel beside a lake' is the wordplay.
'vessel' becomes 'can' (type of container).
'beside' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'lake' becomes 'L' (geographical abbreviation).
'can'+'a'+'l'='CANAL'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for canal that I've seen before include "Grand Union perhaps" , "Long, narrow strip of water" , "Inland waterway" , "Artificial waterway as at Panama (5)" , "Manmade flower" .)