: 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
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In the vibrant Rio de Janeiro of the late 1980s, a group of flight attendants from Fly Brasil, led by a gay and HIV-positive flight attendant, sets up a scheme to smuggle AZT in an attempt to save the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS. Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025 Brazil In the vibrant Rio de Janeiro of the late 1980s, a group of flight attendants from Fly Brasil, led by a gay and HIV-positive flight attendant, sets up a scheme to smuggle AZT in an attempt to save the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025 On November 9, Fowler reached the AZT’s terminus on the U.S. Mexico border, 12 days, 17 hours, and 33 minutes after starting from the trail’s northernmost point. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 27 Nov. 2024 In 1987, the US Food & Drug Administration approved the first antiretroviral medication to prevent or treat HIV/AIDS: AZT, or azidothymidine, and Flournoy eventually started taking it. Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 28 July 2024 Members infiltrated the New York Stock Exchange and chained themselves to a balcony to protest the high price of AZT, the only treatment for AIDS at the time. Sally Tamarkin, Them, 28 June 2024 Aztec's shares trade on the TSX-V stock exchange (symbol AZT) and on the OTCQB (symbol AZZTF). Sacramento Bee, 24 June 2024 At the end of the study, 19 patients who received the placebo had died compared with only 1 death in the group that received AZT. Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024 Under the care of her adoptive parents, Loren and Pat Broadbent, Ms. Broadbent was among the first pediatric patients to receive AZT and other antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of AZT was in 1985

Dictionary Entries Near AZT

Cite this Entry

“AZT.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/AZT. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

: a drug used to treat AIDS

Medical Definition

: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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