Way to get sailor to begin (5)
I believe the answer is:
start
'to begin' is the definition.
(I know that start is a more specific form of the action begin)
'way to get sailor' is the wordplay.
'way' becomes 'st' (abbreviation for street).
'to get' indicates putting letters inside.
'sailor' becomes 'tar' (term for a sailor).
'st' going around 'tar' is 'START'.
(Other definitions for start that I've seen before include "Beginning" , "Opening - jump" , "lead" , "Begin with sudden movement of surprise" , "begin an argument?" .)