Zidovudine is a modern synthetic compound name, constructed systematically for scientific precision. The first part, "zido-", is a truncated form of "azido," highlighting the defining azide functional group (-N₃) that replaces a hydroxyl group in the natural nucleoside thymidine. The suffix "-vudine" is borrowed from "thymidine," signaling its identity as a modified nucleoside analogue designed to interfere with viral DNA synthesis. Thus, the name literally denotes an "azide-modified thymidine-like compound," directly describing its chemical structure and its mechanism of action as an antiretroviral agent.

Structure: zido (chemical prefix) + vudine (nucleoside suffix) - zido: A contrived prefix derived from the chemical name "azidothymidine," specifically from the syllables "azido," referring to the azide group (-N₃) in its molecular structure. It functions as a unique identifier for this specific compound. - vudine: A suffix used in the systematic naming of nucleoside analogues (a class of antiviral drugs), derived from "thymidine" (a nucleoside). It indicates the drug's structural and functional relationship to this group of molecules.