Notice Cinders in transformation (7)
I believe the answer is:
discern
'notice' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'cinders in transformation' is the wordplay.
'in transformation' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen this in other clues).
'cinders' with letters rearranged gives 'DISCERN'.
(Other definitions for discern that I've seen before include "Notice" , "Cinders (anag)" , "spot" , "Make out, distinguish by eye" , "Pick out" .)