Pressure-induced structural changes in Gd 2 Zr 2 O 7 pyrochlore have been investigated at pressures up to 43 GPa by synchrotron x-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements. With increasing pressure, the ordered pyrochlore begins to transform to a disordered defect-fluorite-type ͑cubic͒ structure up to 15 GPa. Above 15 GPa, a high-pressure ͑HP͒ phase forms that has a distorted defect-fluorite-structure of lower symmetry. Upon release of pressure, the HP phase is not stable and gradually transforms back to the cubic defect-fluorite structure.