AZT

noun

ˌā-(ˌ)zē-ˈtē

: an antiviral drug C₁₀H₁₃N₅O₄ that inhibits replication of some retroviruses (such as HIV) and is used to treat AIDS

called also azidothymidine, zidovudine

Examples of AZT in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The first major advance in the treatment of aids was AZT, a drug that had originally been tested as a chemotherapy agent. — Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024 The publicity his claims received encouraged untold patients to refuse AZT, causing a toll that may number in the millions. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026 Hope ultimately came in the form of life-saving treatment options, starting with the approval of azidothymidine (AZT) for treating HIV/AIDS in 1987. — Pearl Pugh, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Set in the late 1980s, the movie is a New York micro-drama about a fellow named Jimmy George — an amateur performance artist who is battling AIDS, keeping the illness at bay with AZT. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for AZT

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of AZT was in 1985

See more words from the same year

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Azrael

AZT

Aztec

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Style

“AZT.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/AZT. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

AZT

noun

ˌā-(ˌ)zē-ˈtē

: a drug used to treat AIDS

Medical Definition

AZT

noun

ˌā-(ˌ)zē-ˈtē

: an antiviral drug C₁₀H₁₃N₅O₄ that inhibits replication of some retroviruses (as HIV) and is used to treat AIDS

called also azidothymidine, ZDV, zidovudine

see retrovir

AZT

noun

Examples of AZT in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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