I meddle to begin with and step in direct (9)
I believe the answer is:
immediate
'direct' is the definition.
('immediate' can be similar in meaning to 'direct')
'i meddle to begin with and step' is the wordplay.
'to begin with' indicates taking the first letters.
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'step' becomes 'mediate' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
The initial letter of 'meddle' is 'm'.
'i'+'m'+'mediate'='IMMEDIATE'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for immediate that I've seen before include "Involving no delay" , "Instant" , "Nearest" , "Present" , "Direct" .)