Verdun (/vɜːrˈdʌn/, also UK: /ˈvɛərdʌn/, US: /vɛərˈdʌn/, French: [vɛʁdœ̃]; official name before 1970 Verdun-sur-Meuse) is a large city in the Meuse department in Grand Est, northeastern France. It is an arrondissement of the department. Verdun is the biggest city in Meuse, although the capital of the department is Bar-le-Duc, which is slightly smaller than Verdun. It is well known for giving its name to a major battle of the First World War.