Tracks fugitives leaving area (7)
I believe the answer is:
runways
'tracks' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'fugitives leaving area' is the wordplay.
'fugitives' becomes 'runaways' (I've seen this before).
'leaving' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'runaways' with 'a' taken away is 'RUNWAYS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for runways that I've seen before include "Aircraft landing strips" , "Take-off strips for planes" , "Surfaces for planes to take off and land" , "Airport zones" , "See model on these" .)