anthem; carol; hymn of praise
A formal or poetic term for a song or poem that praises a deity, a noble person, or a great achievement. Often used in religious or ceremonial contexts.
We sang Christmas carols at the church.
This poem is a hymn of praise honoring the king.
The kanji 頌 means 'praise' or 'eulogy', and 歌 means 'song'. The reading しょうか is the on'yomi of both characters. The word is a Sino-Japanese compound used for formal hymns or anthems.