How is the internal obstruction of the airway with an object defined?

The term that defines the internal obstruction of the airway with an object is choking. Choking occurs when a foreign object becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, which impedes normal breathing and can be life-threatening. This situation often requires immediate action, such as performing the Heimlich maneuver, to dislodge the object and restore airflow.

In contrast, strangulation typically involves external pressure on the neck that restricts blood flow and breathing, but does not necessarily involve an object blocking the airway directly. Suffocation refers to a lack of oxygen leading to unconsciousness or death due to inability to breathe, which can occur for various reasons, including smothering or drowning, but is not solely defined by the presence of an obstructing object. Gagging may indicate a partial obstruction or that something is stuck, but it does not specifically define a situation where the airway is completely blocked.

Thus, choking specifically addresses the scenario of an airway obstruction caused by an object, making it the correct answer in this context.