Shortened game in middle of meadow (8)
I believe the answer is:
abridged
'shortened' is the definition.
('abridge' can be a synonym of 'shorten')
'game in middle of meadow' is the wordplay.
'game' becomes 'bridge' (card game).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'middle of' means to look at the middle letters.
The middle letters of 'meadow' are 'ad'.
'bridge' placed into 'ad' is 'ABRIDGED'.
(Other definitions for abridged that I've seen before include "Epitomised" , "Abbreviated, contracted" , "Shortened as book may be" , "Shorter" , "Cut short - big adder (anag)" .)