领衔 literally means 'to lead the title' or 'to head the list'. The character 领 (lǐng) means 'to lead, to head', and 衔 (xián) originally refers to a 'title', 'rank', or 'official position'—historically, it was used for official titles in imperial China. Together, they form a formal verb meaning to be listed first among names, especially on official documents, posters, program lists, or credits, signifying prominence or leadership in that context.

This word is commonly used in cultural, academic, and institutional settings: for example, when announcing performers at a concert, authors on a joint publication, or experts leading a research project. It carries a tone of respect and formality—it is rarely used in casual speech or for everyday activities. While it may appear in headlines or formal notices, it is not interchangeable with simple verbs like 'lead' or 'head' without the connotation of being the top-named person on an official roster.