Windows are nuisances we hear (5)
I believe the answer is:
panes
'windows' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'nuisances we hear' is the wordplay.
'nuisances' becomes 'pains' ('pain' can be a synonym of 'nuisance').
'we hear' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'pains' sounds like 'PANES'.
'are' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for panes that I've seen before include "Glass slabs" , "Glass pieces in windows" , "Sheet glass cut for windows" , "Sheets of window glass" , "Glass rectangles in windows" .)