A hydraulic cylinder has a cylinder housing in which is formed a pressure chamber variably bounded on one side by a piston of a piston subassembly that is longitudinally displaceable. A piston rod is rigidly connected with the piston, wherein the piston has an outer contour, which permits tilting of the piston subassembly in the cylinder housing, and a projection, which is at the pressure chamber side and on which a sealing element is centered and retained by a retaining ring. The sealing element has an encircling sealing lip that slidably and sealably bears against a sliding surface of the cylinder housing. The retaining ring is provided on the side thereof opposite from the sealing element with a stiffened prolongation.