. In the present study, we have found a new structure family of oxide-ion conductors, BaY 2 CuO 5 -type (BaCuY 2 O 5 -type) BaR 2 ZnO 5 compounds (R = rare earths). BaR 2 ZnO 5 compounds with a BaY 2 CuO 5 -type structure were found to be good candidates for oxide-ion conductors by the bond-valence method. BaR 2 ZnO 5 compounds (R = Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, and Ho) were synthesized by solid-state reactions, and their electrical conductivities and crystal structures were investigated. Rietveld analyses of BaR 2 ZnO 5 (R = Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, and Ho) using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data gave good fitting for the BaY 2 CuO 5 -type structure. BaHo 2 ZnO 5 had the highest total electrical conductivity in air among BaR 2 ZnO 5 compounds (R = Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Ho). Oxide-ion conduction was confirmed for BaHo 2 ZnO 5 by electrical conductivity measurements conducted under various oxygen partial pressures. Neutron powder diffraction data of BaHo 2 ZnO 5 were analyzed by the Rietveld method, and the oxide-ion conduction paths were investigated by the bond-valence method.